Be among the first visitors of the day to enter the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel before the crowds have poured in. With the help of your enthusiastic guide, you will sweep past the long galleries of tapestries, sculptures, and frescoes directly to the most magnificent and important piece, the Sistine Chapel. By making Michelangelo’s masterpiece your first formal stop on the tour you will arrive before nearly anyone else has had the time to find a map! This will mean that you and your small group of 12 people or less will have plenty of time to gasp in wonder at the work of this Renaissance genius while your guide brings the art to life with stories and details of its creation.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ First Entrance into the Vatican Museums
✔ Expert, English-speaking guide
✔ Small group of 12 people or less
✔ Entrance Tickets and Reservation Fees
✔ First Entry Experience to the Sistine Chapel
✖ Gratuities
✖ Hotel pickup and drop-off
Departure & Return
Departure:
,
At the bottom of the steps across the street from the Entrance of the Vatican Museums.
The steps are located right next to Caffè Vaticano on the corner of Viale Vaticano and Via Tunisi.
The closest Metro stop is Line A (Ottaviano – Musei Vaticani).
Itinerary
1
Vatican City
Indulge in the exclusive First Entry Experience at the Vatican Museums, where you'll have the privilege of admiring the Sistine Chapel at its absolute best – a tranquil and awe-inspiring encounter, far from the usual bustling crowds.
2
Vatican Museums
En route to the Sistine Chapel, marvel at the phenomenal art collections throughout the various galleries of the Vatican Museums. Your guide will highlight the most iconic pieces, ensuring an unforgettable exploration of the Vatican's treasures.
Duration: 1.1666666666667 hours
3
Sistine Chapel
Upon reaching the Sistine Chapel, relish the opportunity to immerse yourself in its beauty. Unlike the crowded afternoons, you'll now have ample time and space to truly appreciate this remarkable space. Critics hail Michelangelo's frescoes as unparalleled in scale, technical skill, and composition. Witness the awe-inspiring "Creation of Adam" and the majestic "The Last Judgment" up close, experiencing these 15th-century masterpieces in a way that's intimate and unforgettable.
Duration: 20 minutes
Additional info
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
• St Peter's Basilica, the grottos and the dome: After the tour, you may visit these attractions on your own. Your tour will end at the front of St Peter's Basilica, which is a very convenient location to leave for lunch, visit the Vatican bookstore, visit the Vatican post office, enter St Peter's Basilica, continue to the grottos below St Peter's or climb to the dome. Your tour guide will be happy to point you in the right direction!
• Please note: Due to the current circumstances and regulations, the Vatican currently opens at 8:30am instead of 8:00am. However, by arriving at the line 30 minutes before the doors open, you will be one of the first visitors to enter the Sistine Chapel and enjoy the Museums in peace before the crowds arrive.
